Indian Newslink 15th June 2016 Digital Edition

04
JUNE 15, 2016
Five members of the
South Asian community
were featured
in the Queen’s
Birthday Honours List announced
by the government
on June 6, 2016.
They included Dr Pushpa
Wood, who has been appointed
as Officer of the
New Zealand Order of
Merit (ONZM) for services
to financial literacy
and interfaith
HOMELINK
Five from community on Queen’s Honours List
Staff Reporter
info@indiannewslink.co.nz
relations; Viduranga
Aruna Abeygoonesekera,
who has been appointed
as Member of the New
Zealand Order of Merit for
services to the Sri Lankan
community. Queen’s
Service Medal (QSM) winners
Karnail Singh Badhan,
Nanette Nathoo (both
for services to the Indian
community respectively
based in Wellington and
Auckland) and Dr Nadaraja
Manoharan for services to
the health sector.
Remarkable People
Congratulating the recipients,
Ethnic Communities
Minister Peseta Sam Lotuliga
described the recipients
as ‘remarkable people,’
saying that they will inspire
a new generation of young
people to serve their ethnic
communities.
“The efforts of these outstanding
people ensure
people of diverse cultures
keep their heritage alive
while also contributing to
New Zealand society,” he
said.
Dr Pushpa Wood is Director, Westpac Massey Financial Education
and Research Centre and Chair of the New Zealand Chapter of the
World Council of Religion and Peace. She recently facilitated the
Online Ethics Centre (OEC) Community Leadership Programme.
She is a regular contributor of columns and articles to Indian
Newslink.
Ms Wood said, “It is an honour and a privilege to receive this
Award. Although my name is on the list, the honour truly belongs
to the whole community and people who have supported me throughout my life. I am
grateful to my parents who gave me opportunities to dream big, my husband Jack and
my daughter Gayatri for their encouragement and support. I regard myself very lucky
to be awarded for doing something that is very dear to my heart. This Award recognises
the positive contribution that ethnic people are making in almost every field
Viduranga Aruna Abeygoonesekera works for the Social
Development Ministry and has held financial and strategic roles
in that sector for almost 20 years.
Mr Abeygoonesekera has supported the affairs of Sri Lankan and
the wider community as a committee member and as President
of the New Zealand Sri Lanka Friendship Society in Wellington.
He is a leader for Sri Lankans living in Wellington and has
worked to support and celebrate ethnic and cultural diversity and
the arts. Since his appointment as Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in 2007, he has established
good working relationships with government, and assisted in the promotion of
trade and economic relations.
BC5609_CommunityGrants_IN
Would funding help
your community project?
If you have a great idea that helps your community, like
a horse riding group for disabled persons, a shared orchard
for your neighbourhood, or an event that celebrates cultural
diversity, it’s worth applying for a local board grant.
We support initiatives in arts and culture, community development,
environmental and natural heritage, historical heritage, events
and sports and recreation. Applications open from June 1, so get
yours ready now.
For more information on how to apply,
visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/funding
Find out more: phone 09 301 0101
or visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/funding
Karnail Singh Badhan has contributed to the Indian community
in Auckland since the early 1990s. He is a Founder and Life
Member of the Ambedkar Sports & Cultural Club and has been
its President since 2014.
He is also the current coach of the Club’s volley ball team
and has been involved with fundraising for and organising the
Club’s annual sports tournament in Pukekohe.
He is currently National Coordinator for Global Organisation
of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) New Zealand and a member of GOPIO
International.
Mr Badhan was instrumental in the development of the Guru Ravidas Sabha
Temple and has held offices as Chairman, Vice President and Secretary.
Dr Nadarajah Manoharan has practiced as an Ear Nose and
Throat (ENT) surgeon in New Zealand since 1974, primarily
in small centres beginning in Whanganui and permanently in
Palmerston North from 1982.
Dr Manoharan continued to service smaller centres through a
weekly Whanganui clinic and a weekend Masterton clinic in addition
to other centres. He has advocated for greater access to affordable
healthcare for children and has never allowed finance
to be a barrier to patients in need of his services. He is voluntary teacher for trainee
registrars and a member of the Mid Central Health District Health Board since 2013.
He is a member of the Board’s Public Health Advisory, Funding and Audit, and
Disability Support Advisory committees. He established the Whanganui ENT Department
and significantly developed the Palmerston North ENT Department.
North Hospital from 2008 to 2010.
Nanette Nathoo has been the Chairperson of the Law and Order
Crime Prevention Committee of the Auckland Branch of the
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) since 2011, and
served on its Executive Committee from 2008 to 2012.
She was a Trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre a few years
ago.
Ms Nathoo has contributed to the Indian community since 1982
and was Vice President of the Auckland Indian Association (AIA)
from 2007 to 2015. She is currently Law and Order Crime Prevention Chairperson of
the Association.
She has worked with the Auckland City Police Asian Liaison Officer in developing
Safer Community and Crime Prevention videos, workshops and safety messages in
community newsletters.
Editor’s Note: Pictures of Viduranga Aruna Abeygoonesekera from bobmckerrow.blogspot.com; Karnail Singh
Badhan from Stuff; Dr Nadaraja Manoharan from LinkedIn and Nanette Nathoo from Facebook